XN000022-1982-07-30 — Page 2

FRIDAY, JULY 30, 1982

FUTURE USE OF BUILDINGS IN VICTORIA BARRACKS FINALISED

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS FINALISED DETAILS ON THE FUTURE USE OF BUILDINGS TO BE RETAINED WITHIN THE RECREATION AND LEISURE AREA IN VICTORIA BARRACKS.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THESE BUILDINGS AND THEIR PROPOSED USES ARE

CASSELS BLOCK

WAVELL HOUSE

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BIRDWOOD BLOCK

SQUASH COURTS

INFANT SCHOOL

THE BUILDING WILL BE CONVERTED TO PROVIDE HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION FOR OVERSEAS VISITORS INVOLVED IN RECREATION, SPORTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES ORGANISED DIRECTLY BY THE GOVERNMENT OR INDIRECTLY BY A SUBVENTED ORGANISATION.

THE BUILDING WILL BE OFFERED TO THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL SOCIETY LIMITED FOR OFFICE ACCOMMODATION. THE SOCIETY HAS TO MOVE OUT OF ITS PRESENT PREMISES TO MAKE WAY FOR MTR DEVELOPMENT.

THE BUILDING WILL BE CONVERTED AND USED AS HEADQUARTERS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL CENTRE OF HONG KONG LIMITED, THE MEMBER ORGANISATIONS OF WHICH INCLUDE THE HONG KONG MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, THE INSTITUTE OF BANKERS (LONDON)(HONG KONG CENTRE), THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE ROYAL INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS, THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, THE ROYAL TOWN PLANNING INSTITUTE (HONG KONG BRANCH) AND THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS,

THE SITE WILL BE USED FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF A LARGE SQUASH COURTS COMPLEX.

THE SITE HAS BEEN SUGGESTED AS A SUITABLE LOCATION FOR THE RE-ERECTION OF MURRAY HOUSE. SINCE THE QUARRY BAY JUNIOR SCHOOL, WHICH NOW OCCUPIES THE INFANT SCHOOL BUILDING, WILL NOT BE MOVING TO ITS NEW PREMISES IN BRAEMAR HILL UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF 1985, IT IS PROPOSED THAT A DECISION ON THE RE-ERECTION OF MURRAY HOUSE, AND ON THE FUTURE OF THE INFANTS SCHOOL BUILDING SHOULD BE DEFERRED UNTIL FIRM PROPOSALS ON PERMANENT USES FOR A RE-ERECTED MURRAY HOUSE ARE AGREED.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY AGREED TO THE USE OF FLAGSTAFF HOUSE AS A MUSEUM AND OF RAWLINSON HOUSE AS A MARRIAGE REGISTRY AND PARK ADMINISTRATION OFFICE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE URBAN COUNCIL HAD AGREED TO ACCEPT ALLOCATION OF THE RECREATION AND LEISURE AREA AND TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN IT AT ITS OWN EXPENSE, USING THE CONSULTANT'S REPORT AS A GUIDELINE.

/TO FACILITATE